The accreditation world can be a perplexing place. Accreditation specialists are expected to be up to date on forever-shifting healthcare regulations. They have to make sure every aspect of their facility is compliant with federal, state, and private standards and guidance. And when something is wrong, they have to ensure it gets and stays fixed. This article is a primer for accreditation beginners: people who want to do their jobs well but need an idea of where to start.

In healthcare, the words “Immediate Jeopardy” carry roughly the same meaning as “why is the tiger enclosure empty?” In other words, something has already gone horribly wrong and you have to act fast before it gets exponentially worse.

A patient is being registered at a hospital. Registration requests to see identification, which states that the patient is male. However, the patient identifies as female, and the electronic medical record (EMR) only has male or female fields. Which one should the registrar select?

In May, The Joint Commission issued clarifications on its 2012 Life Safety Code® (LSC)–related requirements for fire doors, fire drills, and emergency department (ED) occupancy. Here’s a look at the four clarifications and what they mean

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